DaVanon a Heavy Favorite

Jeff DaVanon picked up one of his new bats last year and knew something was wrong. The bat was two ounces too heavy. But this was the minor leagues, where sporting goods representatives did not float through the clubhouse with endless supplies of equipment, so DaVanon shrugged and gave the newer, heavier bat a shot.

He liked it. He still uses it when he hits left-handed. He uses a different bat when he hits right-handed. During batting practice this year, he tried one of Shawn Wooten’s bats, one ounce heavier than usual. He liked it. He still uses it.

DaVanon believes the heavier bats help account for his sudden increase in power. He has hit one home run every 15 at-bats, the best ratio among the Angels. His 10 home runs rank fourth on the team, behind Garret Anderson, Troy Glaus and Tim Salmon.

Nothing in DaVanon’s minor league career suggests he will develop into a power hitter. In seven minor league seasons, he hit more than 10 homers once (11 for double-A Midland in 1999).

As the Angels try to determine how the outfielder might fit into their future, they must decide whether he is simply on a roll or whether, at 29, he is a late-blooming power hitter. Manager Mike Scioscia leans toward the latter, projecting that DaVanon could hit 15 to 25 home runs a year if he continues to avoid the injuries that have dogged him in past years.

“I don’t think it’s a fluke,” Scioscia said. “He certainly has the potential to do that on a consistent basis.”

DaVanon has batted first, second, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth this season. He hasn’t batted much against left-handers, no surprise given his recent minor league track record. He hit .325 against right-handers and .250 against left-handers at triple-A Salt Lake this season, .328 and .192 last season.

“He’s worked hard on his right-handed swing,” Scioscia said. “I think he could play every day as he gets experience and keeps improving.”

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Tests confirmed that Salmon has two kidney stones. Salmon did not play Sunday after experiencing back pain that indicated the presence of kidney stones, but the pain had diminished Monday and the urologist who examined Salmon said he could play as long as he can tolerate any discomfort.

Shortstop David Eckstein, who collided with Anderson in Sunday’s game and left the clubhouse wearing a sling on his right arm, was diagnosed with a bruised shoulder and a strained trapezoid muscle, which spans the neck and upper back. He is listed as day-to-day.

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Outfielder Darin Erstad, a pretty good high school hockey player, skated deftly around the subject of why Walt Disney Co. provided enough money so that the Angels could keep the core of the World Series champions together but would not do the same for the Stanley Cup finalist Mighty Ducks.

Paul Kariya, the Duck captain and the face of the franchise for a decade, signed with the Colorado Avalanche last week, after the Ducks relinquished their rights to him by refusing to offer a $10-million contract.

“I’m a huge Kariya fan,” Erstad said. “He’s been there ever since I’ve been in Anaheim. It’s tough to see him leave. I’ll get my Paul Kariya Avalanche jersey now.”

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Bobby Jenks, the minor league pitcher with the 100-mph fastball, returned to double-A Arkansas on Sunday. In his first appearance after missing two months because of a stress reaction in his right elbow, he pitched five shutout innings, giving up one hit and striking out six.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Kansas City Royals, three games.

Site -- Edison Field.

TV -- Channel 9 tonight, Fox Sports Net Wednesday.

Radio -- KSPN (710), XKAM (950).

Records -- Angels 44-42, Royals 47-39.

Record vs. Royals (2002) -- 6-3.

Tonight, 7 -- John Lackey (6-7, 5.01) vs. Darrell May (2-4, 3.87).

Wednesday, 7 p.m. -- Kevin Appier (6-5, 4.97) vs. Jeremy Affeldt (5-4, 4.62)

Thursday, 1 p.m. -- Aaron Sele (5-6, 5.70) vs. Chris George (9-5, 7.00).